Going Mobile: What SaaS Founders Need to Know

By Gaurav Parvadiya | Last Updated On April 29th, 2025

You can nail your desktop website experience with optimized onboarding and even hit the $10k MRR, but here’s the issue. 60% of global SaaS usage is mobile, yet most new SaaS products treat mobiles as an afterthought. This gap it’s a huge opportunity. “We assumed our users would prefer the web dashboard. But 70% of our logins came from mobile once we launched the app.” -Co-founder, HR SaaS startup

Mobile isn’t just a smaller screen. It’s:

  • A distribution channel (App Stores)
  • A retention engine (push notifications)
  • A UX differentiator (fast, always-on access)
  • A branding tool (trust and accessibility)

More importantly, mobile is becoming the expectation. For SaaS users, having a mobile app for SaaS isn’t just about convenience anymore; it’s about trust. If your product doesn’t show up in the App Store, users might assume it’s not legitimate or not committed to long-term UX.

5 Big Reasons SaaS Founders Are Going Mobile Early

1. Retention is Higher in Mobile Apps

Push notifications, offline mode, persistent logins, apps are built to bring users back. Studies show SaaS mobile app users are 3x more likely to return than web to mobile app SaaS.

Plus, SaaS mobile app users are more likely to complete high-intent actions, whether that’s renewing a subscription, upgrading plans, or sharing the app with colleagues.

2. Mobile equals Distribution Channel

App Store and Google Play aren’t just checkboxes. They’re discovery engines. Being in the app store means:

  • Higher brand credibility
  • New organic user acquisition
  • Visibility to users who search for “your app”

According to Sensor Tower, 65% of app downloads come from search in the App Store. If your competitors are ranking there and you’re not even present, that’s a problem.

PRO TIP: Treat your App Store listing like a mini-landing page. Use ASO (App Store Optimization) tactics: keywords, screenshots, and user reviews, to improve visibility.

3. Better UX means Better NPS

Mobile users expect snappy performance. If your SaaS app makes them pinch and zoom inside a browser tab, you’re creating friction.

A native mobile experience delivers:

  • Faster load times
  • Streamlined navigation with familiar gestures
  • Better accessibility for on-the-go workflows

The result? Higher satisfaction, better NPS, and stronger word of mouth.

4. Push Notifications are the New Email

Email open rates are <20%. Push notification open rates? Up to 88%. That makes a massive difference when you’re activating trial users or nudging churn-prone customers.

SaaS push notifications also allow you to:

  • Trigger onboarding flows automatically
  • Send reminders for trial expiry, invoice updates, or usage milestones
  • Deliver product updates without relying on email campaigns

TIP: Combine push with segmentation to tailor the message to user behavior. For example, trigger a push when usage drops below a threshold.

5. Founders Want to Move Fast and Mobile Speeds That Up

Modern no-code tools let you launch a working iOS/Android app in days, not months.

  • No rebuild needed, you can convert SaaS platform to a mobile app without any coding.
  • Syncs in real-time
  •  Costs <$150/month vs $50K+ custom dev

You get:  full control of branding,  feature parity with your site and instant updates whenever your web product changes.

How to Get Mobile-Ready Without Wasting Time or Budget

Going mobile used to mean hiring a dev team, building two native apps from scratch, and spending 6+ months in QA. Not anymore.

You don’t need to rebuild your SaaS product from scratch. Instead:

  1. Map the top 3 things your users do most: What pages do they visit? What actions do they complete?
  2. Use a no code SAAS Mobile App building platform like Twinr to convert SaaS platform to mobile app for SaaS
  3. Add lightweight native elements (e.g., bottom navigation, splash screen, loading states)
  4. Launch and test fast, then iterate based on real user feedback

Want to go a step further? Use Twinr’s in-app analytics to track:

  • Revenue from app users
  • Daily active users (DAU)
  • Push notification click-throughs
  • Feature engagement (e.g. which tabs users interact with most)

Case Study: How One SaaS Grew Engagement 2.3x After Going Mobile

A bootstrapped edtech platform launched a SaaS mobile app using Twinr in under 48 hours. Result?

  • 2.3x increase in daily active users
  • 18% lift in trial-to-paid conversion
  • Push campaigns drove 34% of returning sessions

Why it worked:

  • Their users were already mobile-first (students)
  • The web app was mobile-optimized, so performance was smooth
  • Twinr allowed them to push updates in real-time without waiting for app store re-approvals

“Our users now expect a mobile app. It’s part of our brand experience. We couldn’t have done it without Twinr.”

Toolkit for SaaS Founders Going Mobile

Want to skip the dev sprint and go live fast? Here’s your starter toolkit:

  • Mobile App Builder: Twinr. dev
  • Analytics: Firebase, Mixpanel, Twinr In-App Analytics
  • Onboarding: Appcues, Userflow (via embedded site workflows)
  • Push Notifications: Built into Twinr or connect to OneSignal/Firebase
  • ASO Tools: AppTweak, SensorTower for optimizing your app store listing

BONUS: With Twinr, your app auto-syncs with your site. No need to manually rebuild each screen.

FAQ: Going Mobile for SaaS Founders

Is building a mobile app really worth it for an early-stage SaaS product?

Yes. If your users are mobile-first or you’re optimising retention, a mobile app gives you native power (push, offline, faster access).

How much does it typically cost to launch a SaaS mobile app?

Custom dev = $50K+. Twinr = starting at $25/month. It’s not even close.

Can I build a mobile app without hiring developers?

Yes. Twinr lets you convert SaaS platform to mobile app whether its iOS or Android without writing a single line of code.

How fast can I launch?

Same week. Most Twinr customers ship in 1–3 days.

What platforms does it work with?

All major ones: WordPress, Webflow, Bubble, custom stacks, Shopify, and more.

Will my web features work inside the app?

Yes. Twinr mirrors your site’s core functionality. If it works on your site, it works in your app.

Do I need separate analytics for the app?

Not necessarily. With Twinr, your Google Analytics or other trackers from the website will continue to work seamlessly. You also get Twinr’s built-in app dashboard.

Conclusion

Going Mobile isn’t about just vanity metrics. It is about presenting yourself, where your users are and then making their lives easy. If you’re building a SaaS product, you have to keep a mobile-first strategy. If not, then you miss out on revenue, users, engagement, and reach. The best part? Go mobile makes it all very easy. No code, no dev teams, no stress.
Launch your native iOS or Android app with Twinr no code app builder. Start your 14-days free trial today and move your SaaS business forward faster.

Gaurav Parvadiya

Gaurav is the founder and CEO of Twinr, a tech entrepreneur with a decade of experience and a passion for SaaS. With a Master's degree in Computer Science, he specializes in no-code development, driving innovation in the mobile app industry. When he's not busy growing the company, you'll find him writing about tech, growth, software development, e-commerce, and occasionally sneaking in a game of badminton.